Google open-sources JPEG encoder that reduces file sizes by 35%

Google open-sources JPEG encoder that reduces file sizes by 35%

Garry Little
|
18 March, 2017, 00:59

This sets the algorithm apart from other methods of reducing JPEG file sizes, like RNN-based image compression, RAISR, and WebP. The algorithm used by the company allows it to compress JPEGs by up to 35% more than now available methods.

Google hopes that the algorithm used in its Guetzli encoder will enhance the performance of webpages, allowing for less bandwidth usage and faster loading times.

In a blog post, Google said that Guetzli, which is "cookie" in Swiss German, is a JPEG encoder for web sites that it claims will create smaller overall files while still remaining compatible with current web sites, any image processing applications and the JPEG standard. The uncompressed image is on the left, the libjpeg version is in the middle, and the Guetzli version is on the right.

Google is devoting time to further reduce the size of existing JPEG image files with the primary aim of making web pages load faster. "This implies the Butteraugli psychovisual image similarity metric which guides Guetzli is reasonably close to human perception at high-quality levels".

Google is offering the Guetzli encoder as an open source software project for anyone to check out and possibly improve. Therefore any compression technique needs to downsample in a manner which leads to the highest perceptual image quality possible, since there is no "way back".

This algorithm is basically an encoder which creates JPEG files of size 35% smaller than other image file creation methods.

The underlying compression algorithms behind popular implementations of JPEG have always been lossy; once a web version has been generated from a high-quality original master, the lost pixel information can not be recovered (except, arguably by AI - another field of interest for Google's image researchers).

Guetzli employs a search algorithm that tries to overcome the difference between the psychovisual modeling of JPEG's format and Guetzli's psychovisual model. Google's tests showed that Guetzli outdoes Mozilla's tool by 29 to 45 percent. The second image is encoded with libjpeg and the third image uses Guetzli.

Recommended

This game was not decided in the first half, it was one that had a lot going on and going both ways in the final 20 minutes. Juwan Evans scored 23 points to lead the 10th-seeded Cowboys (20-13), who finished the season with four consecutive losses.

This is why President Trump had to talk of changes, which may help to sway people back on the side of passing the bill through. Some House leaders said they were "shocked" that so numerous nation's health care associations have come out against the bill.

The club met with Karanka and following discussions, Boro said it was in their "best interests" to make the change. Middlesbrough are the lowest scorers in the Premier League this season with just 19 goals to their name.

Washington has been urging its two allies to step up security co-operation despite their historically strained relations. US officials are reviewing options that could include a pre-emptive military strike and renewed talks with North Korea.

He was first arrested and charged with his roommate's murder in January 2016 and has remained in custody since then. Medina claimed he acted in self defense, and prosecutors waited a year before filing a murder charge.

Wade collided with the Memphis Grizzlies Zach Randolph in the game last night and said later that he "heard a couple of pops". At 32-36 following Wednesday night's loss, the Bulls are now 10th in the Eastern Conference looking into the playoff picture.

A significant portion of the NEA awards went to projects targetted at youth, community outreach, or rural touring programs . Montana, for example, offers "Standing Together", a literature reading and discussion program for military veterans.

Ms Sturgeon last night defended her plans and said Scots had a right to choose a difference path to the rest of the UK. Speaking on Thursday, Mrs May said: Right now we should be working together, not pulling apart.

The registration involved $530,000 worth of lobbying that Flynn's firm performed for a company owned by a Turkish businessman. Flynn's final cut was $33,750, after his speakers' bureau, Leading Authorities, took a 25 percent commission.

Could be lured out of retirement by Raiders
Lynch, who turns 31 in April, announced his retirement from professional football with a memorable tweet on February 7, 2016. In addition, there is the issue of what would be required, in order for Lynch to play for the Raiders.

RIP PlayStation 3: Production and shipments stopped in Japan
The console came out in Japan on November 11th, 2006 so it's almost been 11 years since the console first shipped out to stores. Sony will allow PC gamers to play modern PlayStation 4 titles via PlayStation Now starting from the second half of this year.